Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in US women, with approximately 211,300 invasive and 55,700 in situ cases in 2003, accounting for nearly one in every three cancers diagnosed. The National Cancer Institute estimates that 13.4 percent of women born today will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some time in their lives. Estimated lifetime risk of breast cancer has gone up gradually over the past several decades and breast cancer has been identified as the second leading cause of death in US women. There is a new breast cancer diagnosis every three minutes in the United States.

The NYC Avon Walk & Closing Ceremonies October 3rd & 4th 2004 South Street Seaport, Pier 41

Thousands of people lined the east side of South Street Seaport’s Pier 17 on October 3rd 2004 as the Avon Walk For Breast Cancer closing ceremony began with walk participants parading into the makeshift stadium. For what seemed like twenty minutes, walkers, staffers, Avon employees and breast cancer survivors packed into the large gathering area in front of the stage. They were carrying signs and banners, wearing wigs and costumes, and dancing with so much energy I found it hard to believe these people had just completed a two day, thirty-nine mile walk throughout Manhattan and its boroughs. Thousands of volunteers came together under one banner to support a cause that has been at the heart of Avon’s charitable work for the past 14 years. They trained to walk the marathon and a half, and trudged on thru weakness and exhaustion to support The Avon Foundation’s fund raising activates for the fight against breast cancer.

Team Avon (In Matching Green Caps), A Collective of Avon Employees Dedicated to Organizing and Participating in The Walk, Listen To Speakers Brian Connolly & Barbara Gelman At The Closing Ceremony

You would be hard-pressed to find a single American who does not know someone with breast cancer. Almost one-eighth of US women have been diagnosed with the debilitating disease at some point in their lives. Research and treatment for the invasive malignancy is an extremely expensive venture, and world governments are having trouble allocating the necessary funds for continued scientific progress. Those who wish to combat this scourge have looked to private and public assistance to attain the necessary funds to continue treatment and research activities. One private corporation that has joined the fight against breast cancer is Avon, The Company For Women. With the creation of The Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade (a 501(c)(3) public charity) in 1992, Avon has taken the lead as a champion for women’s health and raised millions for the fight.

Originally founded in 1955, The Avon Foundation was created by Avon as the philanthropic arm of their corporate structure. Intended to improve the lives of women and their families, the foundation has taken on the many challenges that women have faced as their status within our society rapidly changed from homemaker to career woman. Today, The Avon Foundation focuses their charitable activities on four main areas; Breast Cancer, Domestic Violence, Education and Empowerment, and National and International Emergency Aid.

As part of The Avon Foundation, The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade now supports breast cancer programs in 50 countries and has raised and awarded more than $300,000,000 worldwide for access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer, with a focus on supporting the medically underserved. Funding supports five areas of the breast cancer cause: awareness and education; screening and diagnosis; treatment; support services; and scientific research. Beneficiaries range from leading cancer centers to community-based non-profit breast health programs, creating a powerful international network of research, medical, social service and community-based organizations focused on defeating breast cancer and ensuring access to care

A Beautiful View of The Brooklyn Bridge Awaits Walk Participants Prior To Their Grand Entrance

The 2004 Avon Walk New York began in the wee hours of the morning on Saturday, October 2nd at South Street Seaport. Participants were given the option to walk a half marathon (13.1 miles) or a full marathon (26.2 miles) on the first day and began their journey up the West Side Pedestrian Path and Riverside Drive as far as Fort Tryon. Heading back downtown along Central Park West, walkers were cheered on by friends and family, as well as curious onlookers, as they raised awareness throughout the streets of the city. Stopping for the night at the “Wellness Village” on Randall’s Island, walkers were treated to hot showers and meals, yoga sessions, free massages and entertainment well into the dusk. Walkers completed the final half marathon (13.1 miles) on Sunday, October 3rd, leaving Randall’s Island to walk back down the East side into Brooklyn Heights before their triumphant march across the Brooklyn Bridge for the closing ceremony celebration.

This year’s NY Walk raised over $7.2 Million, every penny of which went to cancer treatment and research facilities in the NY area. Beneficiary Nassau University Medical Center received the smallest grant ($353,500) to purchase a Computer Aided Diagnostic (CAD) unit and a Motorized Mammography Alternator Viewing System to speed and enhance mammography film interpretation. NY Presbyterian Hospital / Columbia University Medical Center received the largest grant ($1.5 Million, bringing the total Avon Foundation funding for this organization to $14.22 Million from 2000), which will afford the center two more staff oncologists, two mammographers, a breast surgeon and a patient navigator as well as equipment and administrative costs.

In 2005, The Avon Walk For Breast Cancer series will take place in eight cities across the United States. Walks in Boston, Charlotte, DC, Chicago, Denver, San Francisco, LA and NY. Check out www.avonwalk.org for more information on the Walk for Breast Cancer and www.avonfoundation.org for information on the Avon Foundation and their other philanthropic avenues.